CAMERA MODES

 

Fully Manual Mode

 Manual Mode

The term manual itself suggests that every settings is manually controlled. In this mode the camera allows the photographer  to have full control over the camera. In manual mode the photographer as to select the ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Flash Settings, Picture Style and White Balance. To control this mode one should have proper knowledge about the exposure triangle. ( Refer to my 3^rd blog to understand exposure triangle). This mode allows the photographer the flexibility to set the settings according has he wish.

 

 

Semi Automatic Modes

 

 Aperture Priority Mode.

Aperture priority mode is referred as AV mode in canon cameras and A mode in Nikon cameras. This mode gives priority to the aperture settings. It’s a semi-automatic mode in which the aperture is set by the photographer. The ISO and Shutter Speed is set and controlled by the camera. Such modes are useful to control the depth of filed in a image.

 

 

Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)

The shutter priority mode is quite similar to aperture priority mode. In this mode one can select the shutter speed as per the requirement and the camera controls other settings such as the ISO & Aperture. Shutter priority allows the camera to capture moving subject in which fast shutter speed are required. For example sports, Birds flying and Car race. In canon cameras this mode is referred as TV mode and in Nikon it’s known as S mode.

 

 

Program Mode (P)

Program mode commonly known as P mode in digital cameras. This mode is quite similar to auto mode but allows the photographer to control over certain camera features such as the ISO, white balance and Flash.

 

 

Automatic Mode

 

Portrait Mode

Portrait mode is great for clicking portraits. In this mode the camera automatically selects large aperture which ensures the background is out of focus and sets a narrow depth of filed. Portrait mode is best when photographing single subject. To get more beautiful shots move closer to the subject or by zooming.

 

 

Macro Mode

Macro mode provides huge amount of details in a image. This mode allows the camera to get more closer to the subject to photograph a close up. Macro mode is preferred in photographing images of insects, flowers and small objects. To get more better results make use of macro lens or macro extension tubes.

 

 

Landscape Mode

The opposite of portrait mode is the landscape mode. The name itself suggests the mode is great for photographing landscapes. The mode itself sets the camera with large aperture to ensure the entire scene is in focus.  At certain times this mode makes use of slow shutter which may result into a shaky image it’s better to have a tripod.

 

 

Sports Mode

Sports mode useful in capturing fast or action photographs. This mode sets a higher shutter speed so it can freeze the action and avoids blurry images. This mode works best in capturing sports or anything in action.

 

Night Mode

Night mode generally preferred while photographing in low light. Night mode is also known as slow shutter sync. This mode sets the camera in slow shutter speed so the image obtained is bright and not dark. It also makes use of flash to illuminate the foreground.

 

 

 

Movie Mode

This mode can be controlled manually and automatically. Movie mode allows the camera to capture motion images.Modern cameras have the feature of movie mode which allows to record video and sound. Modern technology provides a great option of shooting HD footages in this mode. Remember videos make use of more space in the memory storage.

 

TYPES OF LENSES

Prime Lens

Prime lens is a lens with a single focal length. Prime lens are also known as standard Lens and are opposite of zoom lens.  Prime lens do not zoom. Prime Lens is typically good for portraits and blurring. Higher quality images can be obtained with prime lens which allows every detail to be very crisp and clear. Prime lens are available in any focal length from wide angle to telephoto. Such lens is good for photographing in low lights which makes them suitable for night photography. 50mm also known as nifty fifty are extremely good for all-round photographing purpose and 85mm lenses are typically preferred by professional photographers for portraits.

 

 

Extreme Wide Lens

Extreme Wide Lens is considered as fisheye lens. Such lens can capture images up to 180 degrees making almost abstract photos. Fisheye lens are popular for capturing surfing, skateboarding and music concerts where their unique distortion gives the image a dynamic view.

 

 

Wide Lens

Wide lens is referred as a far zoomed out lens. A common wide lens has a focal length of 24mm-35mm. Wide lenses are with one short focal length and they provide a view beyond the standard lens which allows capturing photographs with more scenes in a single image. Such lenses are preferred in capturing landscapes, interiors and Weddings.

 

 

Zoom Lens

Zoom Lens provides a wide range of focal lengths. Zoom lens can zoom in and out. For example the 55-250mm & 70-300mm lens. Such lenses are similar to telephoto lens. Zoom lenses are useful in capturing far objects which makes the viewer to feel close to the subject. Zoom lens is good for photographing portraits.

 

 

Telephoto Lens

Telephoto lens is very popular in photography. Telephoto lenses are useful in capturing far away-subject. Such lens is used for capturing sports and wildlife. Moderate telephoto lens is great for capturing portraits, as they make the subject stand out from the background. Telephoto lens have focal length more than 70mm and are quite heavy and big, although modern designed telephoto lenses have made them compact and less weight.

 

 

Macro Lens

Macro Lenses are particularly ideal for extreme close-up photography. Macro lens is specialized for viewing huge amount of details in a photograph.  Such lens allows the image to create a shallow depth of field in which the foreground is in full focus. Macro lens is useful for capturing insects, human eye, flowers and small objects but can be used for other purpose demanding upon the situation as well.

 

 

 

 

Top 3: Professional Photo &Video Editing Software.

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITING SOFTWARE

 

Affinity

Affinity is editing software for Mac users and it is the new Pro Photoshop Alternative. Affinity is developed by serif. Affinity is a Raster graphics editing software. Affinity provides workspace for editing RAW &J PEG and other image formats. It also provides workspace for RGB, Greyscale, CMYK, ICC Color Management and LAB. Recently Serif launched Affinity for windows too.

 

 

Adobe Photoshop CC

Thomas and Jhon Knoll created Photoshop in the year 1988. Photoshop is developed by Adobe Systems. Photoshop is the most common editing software for photos. Photoshop allows editing layer by layer. Photoshop supports masking, layering, Alpha Compositing and color modules including RGB, CMYK, Greyscale, Duotone, CIELAB. Photoshop performance can be improved with help of Photoshop Plug-Ins. Photoshop is largely used for poster, logo making and image manipulation.

 

 

Adobe LightRoom

Adobe LightRoom is developed by Adobe Systems. It operates on both Windows and Mac. Lightroom is an image organiser and processor. Large number of professional Photographers uses Lightroom for photo Retouch and Color Correction. Lighroom only supports RAW&JPEG formats. Lightroom supports its platform with Adobe Photoshop. Lightroom can perform  certain photoshop functions such as retouching, doctoring and color Changes .

 

 

VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE

 

Avid

Bill Warner founded Avid who was the marketing manager from Apollo Computer. In the beginning Avid was only for Video Editing but now it is recognised as worldwide multimedia generation technology company. Avid is professionally known for Video and Audio Editing Specifically Distribution Services, Digital Non –Linear Editing and management. Open Media Framework was introduced in 1884 as a standard format for sharing metadata and media. Avid released Xpress DV and Xpress Pro additionally in the past at a lower cost for home versions of their professional editors. Avid is most commonly used in Video, Advertisement, Films and Television Industry for creating feature films, Ad Films, Television Shows and Commercials. Avid has won several awards including one of the best editors. Let’s’s Kill All The Lawyers Directed by Ron Senkowski in 1992 was the first ever feature film to be edited in Avid.

 

 

Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro was first developed by Macromedia INC. Final Cut Pro was commonly known as FCP. After Macromedia Inc FCP was later developed by Apple INC. FCP is a video editor compatible with any Quick Time Video. It includes formats such as DV, HDV, DVCPROHD, P2 MXF, XDCAM, 2K, 4K and 5k.Its a series of non-linear video editing software. ‘2000’s Wow Women’ of Wrestling was the first worldwide broadcast quality TV show produced on FCP. Final Cut Pro supports Multi-camera editing, audio editing,Color Matching and Stabilization.FCP consist of different files the project file, media source files, render files and cache files. FCP is an inbuilt with video transitions and effects it also as audio transitions. Adobe Premiers market was still strong even after the Final Cut Pro was launched but initially premier users declined in MAC but was constant in windows.

 

 

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere pro was developed by Adobe Systems. It was introduced in the year 2003. Adobe Premiere Pro is editing software based on timeline. Premiere Pro is compatible with both Windows and Mac. Adobe Premiere Pro support large variety of video formats such as DVHD, HD, 2k & 4k and many others.

Adobe Premiere Pro can operate at 32 bits per channel color in YUV & RGB. Premiere Pro provides 5.1 surround editing and mixing, Vst audio and sample level edit. It has wide variety of Video effects, transitions and Audio transitions and Audio sampling. Adobe provides various tools to operate in premier pro.

 

 

Three Common Lights used in Films & Commercials

 HMI Lights

HMI lights were used in large numbers in film shoot.HMI Lights are made of tungsten (Yellow).HMI lights is one of the most powerful lights used in films. HMI Lights were manufactured by Osram. Osram is a brand of metal Halide Gas Discharge Lamp. The word HMI is derived from a Latin word for the element mercury. HMI lights were produced specifically for films and entertainment shoot. The term HMI stands for Hydrargyrum Medium-Arc Iodide. UV Safety glass cover is provided in front of the light for protecting the person standing in front of the lights. At times HMI lights can be considered dangerous due to overheating. HMI Lights explodes violently if stressed more. HMI Lights is same as the color temperature of the sun.

CAUTION – Do not use HMI Lights at the end of its lifetime since it is known for exploding.

 

 

KINO LIGHTS

Kino Lights are the most common and popular lights used in films and commercials. Kino Lights are manufactured by Kino Flo.  Kino Flo is popular for its light equipments. Kino Flo is famous for its fluorescent lights. Kino Flo is situated at Burbank, California.  It is the most common lights used in television, feature films, commercials and motion pictures. Kino Flo produced Kino lights for the purpose of providing soft lighting on the subjects or the character. Kino Lights structure is exactly like a tube. Kino Lights come in various numbers of tubes. These tubes are called bangs. If a Kino light is called as 2 bangs, it means it contains two tubes of fluorescent tube arrangements. Similar applies with the 4 bang, 6 bang and 8 bang. As compared to HMI lights, Kino lights provide soft lighting rather than harsh lighting. HMI lights produce more amount of heat compare to Kino Lights. In the year 1987 during the film shoot of Barfly Kino Lights was used for the first time.

 

 

BABY LIGHTS

Baby Lights is mostly used in commercials shooting. Baby Lights are alternative to HMI Lights. Baby Lights is of Tungsten. Baby Lights have less intensity compared to HMI Lights. The common purpose of Baby Lights is for back lighting in a shoot but at the same time it can be used as key light or a top light as per the requirement.

 

 

ELEMENTS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE SHOOTING VIDEOS

1.Frames Per Second

Commonly known as FPS or Frame Rate, FPS is the frequency at which a photograph (called frames) is displayed in motion or in an animated form.  The modern filmmakers use different frame rate for shooting. 24fps was the universal frame rate that was used by filmmakers but currently filmmakers have started using different frame rates as per the requirement. The range of frames rate varies according to the camera being used.

 

 

2.EXPOSURE SETTINGS

The most important aspect while filming is the exposure setting. The exposure setting is the key for obtaining a proper footage. The exposure of a video determines the brightness of the footage.  One can obtain a proper exposure by balancing the exposure elements like the ISO, Aperture& Shutter Speed. Mastering this essential element of exposure can improve the efficiency of proper exposure.

 

 

 

3.CAMERA ANGELS

Camera placement is a major part of shooting.  Camera Angle is the position from where a camera will be placed in order to obtain a proper shot. A scene can be recorded from the camera by positioning it at several angles. Different angles create different effects on the person and how they visualise the captured scene.

 

 

4.COMPOSITION

Composition plays an important role in gaining good footages. Composition is a key element while shooting. Composition is something difficult to define. It can be obtained by following various composition rules like the basic rule of thirds.  Composition is not only about the rules since certain elements like patterns, symmetry, lines, Depth of Filed and Texture needs to be considered.

 

 

5.FOCUS

Focus is a term used to determine the sharpness of the footage recorded. Basically it means how sharp or blur the video is been shot. Sharp footage is completely said to be in focus and a blurry footage is completely said to be out focus. How sharp or blur the footage is, can be determined by managing the F-Stop.  22 F-Stop would gives sharper footage compared to a 5.6 F-Stop. Focus can be done on different things.

 

 

6.CUTTING

In filmmaking, cutting a shot at proper time is very important. Cutting basically means from where the camera will stop recording a scene. Cutting is used in both production and post-production period.  In the production, the director instructs the cameramen to cut the scene and in the post-production the editor has the choice from where the footage will be cut down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL WOOL PHOTOGRAPHY

REQUIREMENTS

1. Camera

Proper DSLR camera with slow shutter settings .

2. Wide Lens

Wide Lens would be preferred more but can use zoom lens and 50mm too.

3. Camera Remote

Camera Remote for the purpose of setting timer.

4. Camera Tripod

Tripod for obtaining stabilized shot.

5. Steel Wool

Easily available and can be purchased from hardware stores.

6. Lighter or 9V Battery

For the purpose of lighting up the steel wool.

7. Stainless Steel Whisk (Avoid Silicone Whisk)

For stuffing the steel wool inside the whisk.

8. String

For helping to rotate the steel wool.

9. Dark Locations

Steel Wool Photographs are captured during night time. Prefer using dark locations.

10. Hoodie, Face Mask and Gloves

As safety measures.

11. Helper

For lighting and spinning the steel wool.

 

 

HOW TO SPIN STEEL WOOL

At first take a handful amount of steel wool and stack inside the stainless steel whisk. Tie the string tightly on to the whisk so that it doesn’t detach while spinning. Place the camera far away to avoid any damage to the camera by the flames of steel wool. Set the camera mode to manual and use RAW format for capturing steel wool.RAW allows you to adjust color correction and sharpness during post process. Set the camera  with ISO range(between 200 to 400), F-Stop between 5.6-7.1, shutter speed of 10 seconds or maximum of 15 seconds and camera timer of 5 seconds to avoid capturing wobbly images. Before spinning make sure the safety measures are taken by the person who is spinning the steel wool and avoiding any kind of burns. With an aide, light the steel wool and start spinning at any direction (it can be horizontal, vertical or upward). Click the camera button for capturing the burning light flames of the wool. Avoid shooting at places with trees or any substance which could be inflammable. It is advisable to shoot during calm weather. Less the wind, better the results!

We are not responsible for any kind of damage or injury.

 

Final Results.

 

FIVE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS IN MUMBAI

Mumbai is the financial capital of India and capital city of Maharashtra state. It was known as Bombay till 1995. Mumbai is known for its cosmopolitan culture, heritage architecture and lifestyle etc .Mumbai is more than anything the throne of Bollywood and non-stop entertainment.

 

1.CST

Mumbai’s main railway station is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Earlier it was known as Victoria Terminus and was built by the British. Being the largest station in Mumbai one can imagine how busy it would be. CST is a perfect location for capturing photographs. One can capture the beautiful interior of CST station, People rushing out of the train, coolies and time lapse of trains. One could also explore the subway to capture people selling toys, clothes, accessories and art of bargaining. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) office is just outside the outstation which is delight for photographers. Camera Gully in the Fort area is the best place for photographers for capturing photographs of old cameras and instruments. Across CST one can find lively streets with restaurants, shops, hawkers and more. There’s still plenty to photograph around CST.

 

 

2.DHARAVI

Dharavi, the second largest slum in the world is one of the densely populated areas in Mumbai. A photographer should visit to capture the diverse settlement of people. Dharavi is a land of multi-ethnic and multi-religious culture. One could capture the daily activity of Dharavi streets. Dharavi houses many small and medium enterprises with business of pottery products, textiles, leather making and embroidery. Dharavi apart from his bustling street life is a great location to capture the harsh living condition millions of people. Dharavi should be in your bucket list for street photography.

 

 

3.CHOR BAZAR

A city is incomplete without a flea market and Chor Bazar is the oldest and largest flea market in Mumbai. The term chor means robber in Hindi and one can associate this term with the market because in the past stolen products were sold out. Today the market is popular for cast-off products and antiques. The businessmen selling products are of various religions but with high domination of Muslims. One can capture the busy lanes of chor bazzar, portraits of seller, used products, statues, bollywood posters and antique telescopes. One can just capture the vibe of old India by capturing the streets.

 

 

4.DHOBI GHAT

The perfect spot to capture workers in action! Dhobi Ghat is the largest laundromat in Mumbai and it’s located under the mahalaxmi bridge. Large numbers of workers gather for their laundry business. Photographers can capture the workers wash dozens of clothes in a day. The washers are typically known as Dhobis. A perfect timing of click could give the best results. A number of film shoots have taken place making it popular among tourists. Due to site popularity, photographers throng Dhobi Ghat to capture the life of Dhobis.

 

 

5.WORLI VILLAGE

Worli Village is located in worli and people living there belong to the Koli community. The village has attracted many tourists, thus leading for photowalks with locals and tourist. The prime occupation being fishing for eons, it is visual treat to capture the community sea life and contrast it with the skylines of Mumbai. One can walk on the narrow streets of the village for capturing profound moments of people, portraits and children playing cricket. People in the village are very friendly and can have a wonderful experience for street photography. Oh yes! Do not forget the Bandra-Worli Sea-link.

 

 

 

5 BASIC CAMERA MOVEMENTS

1.ZOOM

Zoom, one of the most common camera movement techniques is used in photography and cinematography. This zooming technique refers to a change in the focal length of a zoom lens. Zooming technique allows changing the shot from long shot to close up and vice versa.

2.PAN

Pan refers to a camera movement in which the camera moves from left to right or right to left and in which the camera doesn’t change its position. Such shots are commonly used to decide location in films. While using this technique once should remember that the camera should be placed in fixed position. Panning is used for shooting panorama. Such shots can be shot using a tripod.

3.TILT

The most common technique used in filmmaking and cinematography is tilt. Tilting is a technique in which the camera is placed in a fixed position and it moves downward and upward. Such a technique is used to introduce a character. Similar to panning, this technique can be used with the help of a tripod.

4.DOLLY

Dolly techniques are often used in filmmaking. This technique refers to camera movement in which the camera moves forward or backward with the help of motor vehicle or a track. Such camera movements are used to ensure smooth flow of the camera. If done correctly, such movements can create beautiful scene and flowing effects. The camera is placed on the dolly and it is operated by the camera operator, camera assistant and focus puller. The experts who operate the dolly are called as dolly grip.

5.FOLLOW

Follow movement is a camera technique in which the camera follows the character from a certain distance. Follow shot is also known as tracking shot. Tracking shot are often used to establish audience alignment with the perspective of the character. Such techniques make characters presence more prominent. One can achieve such a shot with help of steadicam.

Common Camera Shot and Angles

1.WIDE SHOT

In filmmaking, Video Production and Photography a wide shot is most commonly used for capturing an entire object and subject. It is known as a full shot or long shoot. Wide shot is typically shot with a wide angle lens. There are a variety of wide angle lens used for taking a full shot. Wide Shot has become the most common shot in photography and cinematography. Long shots were used in large during the beginning of cinema.

 

 

2.MID SHOT

Mid Shot is basically where the camera is placed and composed in such way where the frame of the character is taken from above the waist to the top of the body. Mid shot is taken for establishing a characters movement or action. Mid Shots are used while shooting interviews, delivering information, characters body language, and facial expressions and is commonly used in films too. Mid shot in a movie sequence follows after the first establishing shot of a new location or scene.  Medium Close up is a part of Mid Shot. Medium shot is approximately shot from the mid chest to the top of the head.

 

 

3.Close Up

In filmmaking, Still Photography and television commercials, close-up shots are commonly preferred. Close Shot is a shot which tightly frames a person or an object but does not include any wide scene. Close-up is composed from a person’s shoulders to the top of the body. Close-Up shots are common cinematic techniques used in shootings. Close-Up shots displays more detailing. It’s especially used for showcasing character emotions and facial expression.  Director George Albert Smith was the first to use close-up in his films in the late early of 1898.

 

4.EXTREME CLOSE -UP

Extreme Close-Up shot portraits more dramatic scene.  An extreme close-up attracts more attention to the subject which it makes more visualising. Extreme close-up is shot very rarely and directors use this shot for specific reason to get this close.  Extreme Close-Up shot allows the viewer to see more detail of the character and enter the characters intimate space. This shot reveals certain characteristics and emotions of the subject otherwise it will go unnoticed. Chokers shot is the alternative of Extreme Close-Up shot.

 

 

5.HIGH ANGLE

High Angle is a cinematic technique where the camera is placed above the subject or the object from top point and looking down at them. The subject seems to look powerless or vulnerable when placed with proper setting effects and correct mood while taking a High Angle Shot.  High Angle Shot can make scene more dramatic. Initially focus gets swallowed up while shooting a High Angle Shot.

 

 

6.LOW ANGLE

Low Angle is the exact opposite of High Angle Shot where the camera is placed below the subject or object, looking up at them. Such shot makes the subject look more powerful and strong and create more impact.

 

 

TOP THREE PHOTOGRAPHERS

 

1.HENRI CARTIER

Henri Cartier-Bresson is a French humanist photographer. Henri Cartier was popularly recognised as a master of candid photography. Bresson adopted photographing the street and eventually began with street photography. He captured primarily decisive moment of people in the streets. Martin Munkacsi, a Hungarian photojournalist inspired him for photography and from there Bresson began his journey for photography. Henri Cartier used of 50mm &30 mm lens. He is also the co-founder of magnum photos.

 

 

2.STEVE McCURRY

Steve McCurry a living legend in the field of photography. McCurry was born on April 23 in the year 1950. Steve is an U.S based editor and photojournalist. In his early life, Steve wanted to study filmmaking and cinematography but gradually started developing interest in photography. Hence, he began as a freelancer here in India. McCurry is a member of Magnum Photos. His best photograph was that of an Afghan girl captured in the year 1984 which was featured in the National Geographic Magazine. McCurry is known as master of portraits. One can follow him on his website and Instagram to get enamoured by his work and passion.

 

 

3.RAGHU RAI

Raghu Rai is an Indian based photojournalist and photographer born in the year 1942 in Punjab. He started learning photography in 1962 under the aegis of his brother Sharampal Chowdhry. Henri Cartier, the co-founder of magnum photos appointed him as the youngest photojournalist in magnum photos. In 1965 Raghu Rai started as a photographer and later joined ‘The Statesman Publication’ as a staff. After 10 years of service, Rai left the publication and became a freelancer. Rai worked as the Director of Photography with India Today from 1982 to 1992. Raghu Rai was known for his black & white photographs. Raghu Rai is the founder of ‘Creative Magazine’. Photographers can follow him on Instagram and his website to have a look at his photographs. Apart from photography, Rai was also popular for his books.